Water softening apparatus



Feb. 23, 1937@ F. N. BARD 2,071,997

WATER soFTENING APPARATUS Filed July. e. 1931 5 sheets-sheet 1 Q fra/61250799 VN). fifa/2665 rzaaoafrd Feb. 23, 1937. F. N. BARD WATER soFTENING A PPARATUS.

Filed July .6, A19,51A v 5 sheets-sheet 2 bm? ma? Feb, 23, 1937. F. N. BARD 2,071,997

- WAYTQR soFTENING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/ I Jag Feb. 23, 1937.

F. N. BARD Y WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filedl July es,l 1951 5 Sheetsfheet 4 Feb. 23, 1937. F. N` BARD WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS 'Filed July .6, 1931 .W......w..m

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?atente Fein. 23, 1937 WA SOFIENING APPARATUS Francis Norwood Bard, Hghland'Park, lill., as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to The Permutit Com (1934), Wilmington, Del., a corporal tion of Delaware Application July 6, 1931, Serial No. 548,744`

11 Claims.

This invention relates to water softening apparatus, and more particularly to the organization of mechanism including valves by which to operate a base-exchange water softener as required for its several functions.

'I'he object of the invention is to provide water softening apparatus with improved mechanism of the class which when set into action will operate automatically to cause the softener to perform its functions other than normal, in due order, and then to resume the normal softening operation.

For explanation of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.v 1 represents a side elevation partly in section of one practicable-form of water softening apparatus embodying the invention, with electrical control equipment represented diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a. detail view of the starting valve of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in association with a different type of governing means from that embodied in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a. side view partly in section of another apparatus of the same general character as that illustrated in Fig. 1, showing electrical equipment diagrammatically.

Fig. 4 is a similar view representing apparatus without electrical control equipment but having an automatic resetting means whereby after each operation of the mechanism. initiated in this instance by manually opening a starting valve, the mechanism will be in readiness'for a subsequent like operat'ion.

Fig. 5 is a partial side-elevation of another form of apparatus embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 6 represents another form of mechanism of the general type embodied in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in section of another apparatus embodying the invention.

governor of the general type embodied in Fig. 7.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 represent one suitable rotor valve for use in the illustrative apparatus. Fig. 9 is a view partly fin elevation and partly in section of the valve.

Fig. 10 is a face view of the valve seat.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the valve rotor, represented in this instance by a. disc type rotary valve member. l

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the stationary member or valve body, indicating certain passages by dotted lines. l

Fig. 13 is a detail section taken on a radial line through the injector port 6B of Fig. 10.

5 Fig. 14 is a viewsimilarto Fig. 10 showing a Fig. 8 is a detail view of another form of (Cl. 21o-24) modification of the valve seat for a different circulation which is desired in some instances.

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 represent another form of rotor valve suitable for the purpose of the present invention, and more particularly adapted for the sented by the hard water supply pipe 2 in connection with a source of gwater under pressure, the pipe 3 for delivering softened Water to service, the pipe 6 for introducingv brine or regenerating solution to the softener for the regenerating operation, a drain pipe 5 through which the softener discharges during its operations other than normal, and valve means controlling the connections of said pipes with the softener as required for the different functions of the softener.

In the several embodiments of the invention shown, the valve means are contained in a single case 8 connected with the aforesaid pipes and with the opposite ends of the softener through the pipes t and l..

When the ssftener is in normal operation, water flows from the supply pipe 2 through the softener to the soft water delivery pipe 3, and when the softener is in regeneration brine is drawn from the brine tank il) by thepipe 4 and passed through the softener and discharged to the drain pipe 5, after which water for flushing is passed through the softener and discharged to the drain pipe..

In Fig. l, there is shown for example an open brine tank it having a bottom gravel bed H, a body of salt i2, and. reserve water i3 above the salt. The brine pipe d draws brine from the bottom of the tapis through the outlet distributor S embedded in the gravel bed. The brine tank is supplied with water from the soft water line through the pipe it controlled by valve i5 cperated by a float i6 to close said valve when the water is at apredetermined level.

Referring nowr te Fig. 1,'the valve means for the softener is represented by a. multi-ported valve 8 of the rotor type, normally connecting the softener :for the normal softening operation and in one revolutionof the rotor te change the connections vely as required for the regenerating cycle, i. e. the cycle of operations involved in the softener from normal operation through the regenerating operation and other operation or operations incidental thereto and back to normal operation.

'lhe valve for this purpose may be, for example, of the type shown in Pigs. 9 to 13, which during successive phases of rotation of the valve rotor in order connections for the ilows other than normal, while the flow connections for the normal softening operation are established in a certain normal position of the valve.

The specific valve shown in Figs. 9 to 13, hereinafter described, is adapted particularly for a water softener of the conventional downflow type in which the successive steps of reconditioning, or operations other than normal involved in the regenerating cycle, comprise backwashing, regeneration and flushing.

Means for operating the valve is represented by a hydraulic cylinder I8 whose piston I9 is suitably connected with the valve as, for example, by having its piston rod 2I| provided with a rack bar 2l in mesh with a gear 22 on the valve shaft 23. n

Water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder from the supply line 2 via the pipe 24 and valve adapted for connecting said pipe 24 with either end ofthe cylinder while connecting the opposite end of the cylinder with the drain. Said valve 25 is shown in this instance as a 4-way cock which in one position connects the pipe 24 through the branch pipe 26 with the upper end of the power cylinder while connecting the lower end of the cylinder through the branch pipe 21 with the drain pipe 5. In its reversed position the cock reverses the connections.

The particular apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed to operate the valve to cause the aforesaid cycle of operations of the softener during each stroke ofthe piston. i. e. during the upstroke and again during vthe downstroke, which accordingly will require a valve-that will function the same in either direction of rotation of the valve rotor.

Duration of the regenerating cycle and of the respective operations involved in that cycle is dependent upon the rate of rotation of the valve rotor, which is controlled by a means serving to retard the action of the hydraulic motor so as to cause it to operate the valve slowly, for instance to make one complete revolution in twenty to thirty minutes, according to the time required for the regeneration and the other operation or operations connected with regeneration.

, Such controlling means is represented in this instance by a ball-type governor 30 connected with the piston rod through a high speed gear train 3|. The rack bar 2|, toothed on one side to mesh with the valve operating gear 22, is also toothed on the opposite side to mesh with the ilrst gear 32 of said gear train, which communicates motion at relatively high speed through the beveled gearing 33 to the governor shaft 34 whose pivoted arms carrying the ily balls or weights 35 are connected to the sliding collar 36 on the shaft bearing 31. When the hydraulic or power cylinder is operated, the relatively high speed communicated to the governor causes its balls to ily 'out by centrifugal force, thereby drawing the sliding collar 38 against the xed collar 38. creating friction and exerting a braking action on the piston such that the rotation of the valve rotor is caused to consumethe necessary period of from twenty to sixty minutes required. The rate of motion will be steady,l since any increase would immediately be communicated to the governor with corresponding increase of braking action, while any decrease with accompanying release of braking action would immediately be respondedtoby the motor.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the apparatus provides for an application of power for one operation of the softening apparatus, to

cause the regenerating cycle or periormancein due order of the functions of the softener other than normal and resumption of normal operation, and for a stabilizing control of the power ex so as to cause it to be-exerted steadily through a desired period of time sufficient for thepurpose. Ineach case power is obtained from expending, in a power appliance, static mechanical potential energy; that is, -energy such as is obtained from the static pressure of a head of water, or from a slowly descending weight. The advantage of using devices making use of this kind of energy is that the power appliance is always ready to start directly upon release of the energy. Agasolin'e engine must be got up to speed before power is taken from it, and Aan electric motor does not readily start at full. speed and full load, but a weightv or4 water pressure operated device is always ready to start directly upon releasing the weight or turning on a valve controlling the water pressure. This makes for considerable simpliilcation of apparatus. Falling weights and hydraulic cylinders,

as I use them in providing power for rotating the valve, have the additional advantage that they are better adapted for turning avalve in slow, continuous rotation through a revolution or so, than are electric motors, which are essentially highl speed operated with a valve of the general character y shown in Figs. 9 to 13, which will normally connect the softener for a downiiow therethrough to the service connection or soft water pipe 3 and which during a phase of one rotation in either direction from its normal position will connect the softener for a reverse flow for backwashing, in another phase will connect the same for flowing brine through the softener to the drain for regeneration, and in still another phase of such rotation will connect the softener for a ilow of water therethrough to the drain for the cleansing or flushing operation. During the normal softening operation, the starting valve or cock 25 being in either of its positions, the piston I9 is in its corresponding extreme position, being so held by the water under pressure. For instance, assume that the cock 25 is in position to connect the pressure pipe 24 with the upper end of the cylinder, having been thrown' to that position for a preceding regenerating operation.

Now assume that the softener has been operating for a sufficiently Along period for softening water, so that its base-exchange-material has become exhausted or is approaching a state of exhaustion of its softening capability, and that it is desired to regenerate. To start the apparatus, the cock 25 is turned to its reverse position, which in the example assumed would be its position for admitting hydraulic pressure to the underside of the piston while connecting the upper end of the cylinder forthe exhaust action upward at the slow speed permitted by the governor 36 which when set into high speed action by the movement of the piston exerts'a retarding action as before explained. Thus the valverotor is slowly turned through one complete revolution, causing the softener to pass from normal operation, through the backwashing, regenerating and ushing operations, and to resume the normal softening operation when the valve completes its revolution.

For remote electrical control, to initiate regeneration when desired by the operation of a suitable switch, the following described means is diagrammatically shown, for example. The starting cock 25 is adapted to be operatedby solenoids lill and di whose cores are connected to a rack bar 42 meshing with algear 43 on the rotary plug of the cock or an axial stud projecting therefrom. The solenoid 40 when energized will cause the cock to turn to one position, and the solenoid 4i when energized will cause it to turn reversely to the other position. Electric circuits controlled by a push plug switch are provided, whereby when the piston I9 is at either extreme position the proper solenoid can be energized to reverse the position oi the cock and thus cause operation of the motor, and when the piston moves to its other position'the circuit is automatically broken so as to de-energize the solenoid. In the .electrical diagram` shown in connection with Fig. 1, 45 indicates the wall plate of a switch 46 of the type having two push plugs 41 and 48. In this well known type of switch, when one plug is pushed in, the other is pushed out, and the switch has a snap action whereby it remains in either position until the protruding plug is pushed in. The switch, connected by the wire 5i with one of the main wires 66, controls contacts i9 and 5i?. The contact it@ is connected by wire 52 with one of a pair 'of contacts 55. The contact titi is connected by wire 53 with one of a pair of contacts 51%; The other contacts of each pair '54 and 55 are respectively connected by the wires 66 and 6i with corresponding terminals of the solenolds 4@ and 4|, whose other terminals are respectively connected by the wires 62 and 63 and by wire 64 with the other main wire 65. The two pairs of contacts 54 and 55 are controlled by a switch 56 operated by a lever 58 fulcrmed at 51 and actuated by the piston rod, said lever having a slotted end engaging a stud 59 onsaid piston rod 20. When vthe piston is in either of its positions, the switch 56 bridges one pair of contacts 54 or 55, as the case may be. For instance, assume that at the end of the softening operation,

the piston is in its upper position, in which case the switch 56 bridges the contacts'55. When it is' desired to regenerate, the operator pushes in the push button 41. This closes a circuit from line wire 66 through wire 5I, switch 46, contact 49, wire 52, contacts 55, wire 6I, solenoid 4i, wires 63 and 64 to the other line wire 65, thereby energizing said solenoid to reverse the position of the cock 25, so as to admit power to, the upper end of the cylinder and connect its lower end for exhaustion. The piston I9 therefor descends slowly as before explained, operating the water softener valve through one complete revolution, and during this movement of the piston the switch 56 leaves the contacts 55, thereby breaking the circuit and de-energizing the solenoid di. When the piston reaches its lowermost position, the

switch 56 will bridge the contacts 54, and since at this time the push'button 41 is in and the push button 48 out, the apparatus is ready for a subsequent initiation of regeneration, after another water softening run of the softener. When it again becomes necessary to regenerate, the operator pushes the button 48, establishing a circuit through the wires 66, 5l, contact 50, wire 53, contacts 54, wire 59, solenoid. til, wires 62, 64 to the other line wire S5, thus energizing the solenoid 40 to reverse the position of the socle-with consequent admission of pressure to the lower end oi the cylinder and connection of its upper end to the drain, so that the piston is caused to move slowly upward and again .turn the valve through one complete revolution, though in this instance in the opposite direction from that in the former instance. v

The electrical initiating means described, while controlled by a push plug switch, will be understood as exemplifying means which may be under control of any suitable switch to be actuated either manually or automatically, as for instance by an automatic time switch or clock or pursuant to a predetermined flow of water through the softener, for which purposea switch controlled by a flow meter may be used, or in response to a condition of the softener requiring regeneration, for which purpose a switch controlled by the electrical conductivity of the eluent water may be used; such methods of control being within the present knowledge of the art and therefore uniecessary to be described herein more particuar y.

The foregoing description with reference to Fig. 1 is predicated upon an apparatus employing a rotor valve which during one complete revolution in either direction successively establishes in proper order and for proper periods the flow connections required for the operations of the softener other than normal and re-establishes the connections for the normal softening operation `when the valve is returned to its original position. As before indicated, Figs. 9 to 13 `represent one practicable type of valve for this purpose, de-

signed more particularly for a downow softener in which the regenerating cycle includes backwashlng. It will be understood however that this is exemplary. By an appropriate gear reduction it would be possible, for instance, to rotate the valve rotor so slowly as to make only a half revolution per cycle, in which event the valve would have to be designed so as to establish the different flow connections in order during a half of a revolution, and to establish the normal ow connections in either of two positions 180 apart.

The specific valve of Figs. 9 to 13 comprises a rotary disc-type valve member and ported seat therefor provided by the valve body 8i. Referring to Figs. l0 and 1.2, certain of the ports communicate through cored passages in the valve body with the pipes of the circulating system, and certain of the seat ports communicate with one another through other cored passages in the valve body. The hard Water supply2 communicates through the passage with the central port 19 of the valve seat. The pipe 1 connected with the The soft -water delivery pipe 3 communicates 75 through the passage 84 with the segmental port passage with the space shown in Fig. 13 into which extends the injector nozzle 69 leading from the small quadrantal port 11. In Fig. 13 the delivery opening from the brine passage is indicated at 85a. The tubular port or nozzle 69 cooperates with the throat member 98 to provide an injector (or ejector according to ones view) by which water iiowing from the port 11 through the nomic 69 draws brine from the delivery opening 85* and forces the mixture of water and brine through the throat member 98 and thence through passage 89, port 16, and other ports as hereinafter explained. The drain pipe 5 communicates through the-passage 86 with the three segmental ports 12, 13 and 18,. which although shown as three separate ports are in fact in communication with one another through a continuous segmental passage in the valve body extending three-fourths around the way of the valve. The valve disc or rotor 88 has two face ports provided by recesses 95 and 96. 'I'hese ports 95 and 96 are arranged radially at right angles to one another, the port 96 extending from the center of the disc a sufficient distance to bridge the central seat port 19 and any adjacent port, and the ldisc port 95 being located in a position to bridge the larger quadrantal ports and surrounding segmental ports of the valve seat.

When the valve disc is in the normal or softening position, the disc port 96 connects the central hard water 4inlet port 19 with the seat port 14, while lthe disc port 95 connects the seat ports 1| and 15. In this position, the water flows from the hard water supply pipe 2 (Fig. 12) through the valve via seat port 19, disc port 96, seat port 14, passage 83 to the pipe 6 and by said pipe 6 to the upper end of the softener and downwardly through the softening material therein and thence out by the pipe 1 and through the valve via the passage 81, seat port 18, passage 18, seat port 15, disc port 95 and seat port 1I to the soft delivery pipe 3. As the valve disc rotates in a clockwise direction from its normal position, the disc port 96 will connect the seat ports 19 and 15, while the disc port 95 will connect the seat ports 12 and 16, thereby establishing connections for a reverse flow through the softener to the drain for backwashing. 'I'he flow in this instance is from the supply pipe through the central seat port 19, disc port 96, seat port A15, passage 181, seat port 18 and passage 81 to thel pipe 1 and by said pipe to the bottom of the softener and upwardly through the softener and then out by the pipe 6 and through the valve via passage 83, seat port 14, passage 14a, seat port 16, disc port 95, seat port 12 and passage 86 to the drain pipe 5. It will be noted that with the valve in the backwash position,`unless otherwise provided, the water could flow from seat port 16 through the cored passage 89 to and through the ejector throat,

90and thence out through the passage 85 (Figs. 10`

ports 19ans 11 and the disc por: ssso as to.

connect the seat ports 13 and 18, and while the last mentioned connections are maintained, durf ing a further phase of rotation of the valve disc, the circulation is as follows: Water under pres. sure flows from central seat port 19 through disc port 96, seat port 11, injector tube 69 (Fig. 13) past the end 85l of brine passage 85 through nozzle 9 8 and passage 89 to seat port 16. The

ilow of water under pressure past the small end 85': of theupassage 85 induces a suction therein and consequent Withdrawal of brine through the pipe 4 from the open brine tank III; whereby and with the water from the nozzle 69 the salt brine is forced via the passage 89, seat port 16, passage 14a, seat port 14 and passage 83 to the pipe 6, and by said pipe 6 to the top of the softening tank and then downwardly through the softener and back by the pipe 1 and through the valve via seat port 18, disc port 95, seat port 13, and passage 86 to the drain, it being remembered that seat' ports 12, 13, 10 are in communication through a continuous segmental passage in the valve body.

Continuing its rotation, the valve disc, after having maintained connectionsfor flow of brine from the brine tank through the softener for an appropriate period, will come into position so that the disc port 96 will `connect the seat ports 19 and 18 while the disc portv 95 will connect the seat ports 14 and 10, thereby permitting a flow of water from the supply line through the valve via central seat port 19, disc port 96, seat portv 18 and passage 81 to the pipe 1 and by said pipeI to the bottom of the softener and thence upwardly through the softening materialand out from the top of the softener by the pipe 6 andl through the valve via passage 83, seat port 14, disc port 95, seat port 18 and passage 86 to the drain pipe 5. By this ow the brine ls displaced upwardly from the softening material, and the softening material and interior of the softening tank are cleansed or washed until the water discharged to the drain `is substantially free cf tions of the softener.

brine.

'I'he last operation', referred to as flushing, continues until the valve disc in continued rotation- A In the preceding description of the valve, a

clockwise direction of rotation has been assumed. In a counterclockwise rotation the voperations will be the same for, although the valve disc in rotating in a counterclockwise direction will make the described connections in reverse order, they will be appropriate forl the successive func- In other words, while the valve vin moving in a counterclockwise direction is making the connections previously described for the flushing operation, such -connections will be utilized for the preliminary backwashing, after which the brine flow through the softener will take place as before, and while the valve is making the connections previously described for backwashing the flow for flushing will take place through these connections. A

Thus a valve such as described is suitable either for -a construction, as in Fig. 1, where the valve is rotated in opposite directions in its .alternate operations, or for one such as will presently be described in which the valve'in every aesinet operation is always rotated in the same direction.

I:By a modification of the ported valve seat shown in Fig. 14, a unique improvement in circulation may be made which is desirable for some cases. This valve seat of Fig. 14 diiers from that of Fig. 10 by having a pair of addtional ports 93 and Vilfl arranged at opposite sides of the port l'l and respectively communicating' through the passages S3a and 94e with the passage l5. The remaining ports of Fig. 14 correspond to those of Fig. 10, except that they are of differentdimensions, and they are for clarity designated by the same reference numerals. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 14, assuming for example a clockwise direction of rotation of the valve disc, after the backwashing operation the disc in its continued rotation connects the central port 'I9 successively with the ports 93, 'Il and 94, all of which communicate with the segmental port 76 which as already explained communicates through passage .14B with the seat port 14. The result in thus having the disc port 95 connect the port 16 successively with the three ports 93, 1l, 94 instead of with just the one port ll as in Fig, 10, is that a downow of water through the softener takes place before and after the brine iiow. The downflow of water preceding the regeneration has'the added advantage of slightly packing the bed of zeolites or base-exchange material after. its agitation by backwashing, so that a better distribution of brine results in the ensuing brine yow; while the downow of water after the brine flow gives a downward rinse or flushing followed by the upward flushing already described. 'I'his flushing in opposite directions is desirable in some cases.

Referring now to certain further structural features of the valve, it will be observed that the valve rotor, represented in this instance by the disc 8D, is enchambered in a case provided by the ported valve body 8| and cap 82 which is bolted to the valve body with an interposed gasket to provide a duid-tight joint. By a passage 91 connecting the disc port with the chamber within the capg water under pressure is permitted to get above the rotor and exert a force to hold it rmly seated at. all times. A spring 98 compressed between the cap and rotor assists to hold the rotor seated; however the hydraulic pressure is depended upon principally for making a tight joint between the cooperating valve members. The valve shaft 23, extending through a suitably packed stuffing box 100 to prevent leakage, has a driving connection with the valve rotor either by a key or pin, as indicated at 99, adapted to be sheared'in case the valve rotor should stick too hard to its seat, so as to avoid damage to the operating gearing.

The ported valve seat previously described is provided in this instance by the removable valve plate IBI tted in a circular opening therefor in the valve body against a gasket |62 and held in position by dowel pins |03 which are so arranged that it would be impossible to insert the valve plate in a wrong position. By this construction if the surface of the valve plate which is in contact with the rotor should become worn or scored, a new valve plate can be inserted, together with a new valve discif necessary. 7

'I'he actual face of the valve body against which the valve plate is seated is ported identically with the plate except at the points 84 and |05 which are solid in the valve plate, merely to reiniorce this plate, and bridge over a 'continuous segmental port in the valve body, so that, as already explained, the seat ports 12, 13, 'l0 are in communication as though they were one continuous port extending three-quarters of the way around the valve. The gasket |22 interposed between the valve body and valve plate is of course ported to correspond with the valve plate ports.

Referring again to Fig. l, another means for timing the operation of the apparatus, in lieu of thevhigh speed gear train and governer shown in Fig. 1, would be to exhaust the cylinder through an orifice so restricted that each stroke of the piston would require from twenty to sixty minutes, depending upon the amount of time necessary to accomplish the proper regeneration, according to the particular zeolites or water-softening mineral used. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, with the cock 25 in either position for admitting water under pressure to one end of the cylinder, the water from the. other or drain end-would have to escape through a small orice controlled by the needle valve H0 whereby the restriction of l the oriiice may be adjusted to regulate the time ing of the apparatus as desired.

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus generally similar to that of Fig. 1 but differing specifically in that the valve controlling the circulation through the softener is operated only during the upstroke of the motor piston. In this case the valve rotates in the same direction for all operations. The valve already described may be employed, or there may be used a valve oi the type hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 15 and 17;

In Fig. 3, the valve operating gear 22 is loose on the valve shaft and adapted to be connected with the shaft by a ratchet device when the gear is rotated in a counterclockwis'e' direction by the upward movement of the piston.

As shown, said gear 22 carries a spring-pressed pawl lli engaging a ratchet wheel i12 fast on the shaft, the arrangement being such that when the gear is rotated in a clockwise direction by the y downward movement of the piston the pawl slips over the ratchet teeth. The rst gear 32 of the high. speed gear'train 3i isnot in mesh with the rack bar 2l but is adapted to be operatively connected therewith on the upstroke of the piston through a ratchet device associated with a loose ge'ar H3 in mesh with the rack bar. The gear H3 is loose on the shaft of the gear 32 and carries a spring-pressed pawl il! coasting with the ratchet wheel H5 fast on said shaft of the gear 32, the arrangement being such that the pawl slips over the ratchet teeth when the gear H3 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the downward movement of the rack bar.

From the foregoing description of Fig. 3, it will be seen that when the starting valve or cock 25 is turned to position to admit pressure to the lower end of the power cylinder, the piston will move upward at a slow uniform speed under'control of the governor 22, as previously explained with reference to Fig. l, thereby turning the rotary member of the valve 8 through one complete revolution so as to cause the perfomance of the regenerating cycle; while on the downward stroke of the piston, which occurs when the position of the cock 25 is reversed, the rack bar 2l simply turns the gears 22 and $2 inoperatively or es idlers. l

As shown in Fig. 3, the cock 25 has an operating lever |20 having a pinand slot connection with the core H23 of a solenoid i211, whereby the solenoid when energized will operate the cock to connect the lower end of thecylinder i8 for admission of pressure and the upper end for exhaust.

The solenoid is energized through a relay magnet through wires |30,` |3| and Winding |25 of the relay magnet, which being energized attracts its 'amature |26, thereby bridging' the contacts |21 and |28. This closes a circuit from wire |30 through wire |33, solenoid |24, wire |34, contact |21, armature |26 and wire |35, the wire |35 being connected to the linewire |3| around the push button switch. Thus the solenoid |24 is energized to attract its core and operate the starting valve or cock 25 to4 the starting position. When the push button switch is released, thereby breaking the circuit therethrough, Vnevertheless the relay magnet and consequentlyvthe solenoid |24 both remain energized, there being a circuit from the line wire |30 through the relay winding |25, wire |36, contacts |31, |38, wire |38, contact |28, relay amature |26 and wire |35 to the other line wire |3|. The contacts |31 and |38 oi the wires |36 and |39 may bear on the valve operating gear 22, or if preferred they may bear on an insulated strip on the rack bar 2| of sunlcient length to, maintain the electrical connection between the contacts 31 and |38 during the upward. stroke of the piston. Thus the solenoid |24 remains energized while the piston and rack bar-v valve is turned from normal position through one complete revolution back to normal position, the circuit is broken through the relay and consequently through the solenoid |25, which being thus deenergized releases its core, and by the weight |2| the cock 25 is operated to reverse its position, connecting the upper end of the cylinder for admission of pressure and theV lower end for exhaust, so that the piston is allowed to descend to its lower position.

Fig. 4 shows an operating mechanism similar l to that of Fig. 3 as to mechanical features, but without electrical control means, and in which the cock 25 is manually operated to set the apparatus into action, while an automatic means is provided to reverse the position of the cock after the completion of the upstroke of the motor piston, so as `to resetthe apparatus for a subsequent initiation of regeneration by one manual operation of the cock. In other words the operator has to turn the cock only to start the operation, and does not have to reverse its position.

In Fig. 4 the cock is provided with a weighted operating lever |4| which normally holds the completion of the upstroke of the piston.

thereby turning the cock to position to' admit pressure to the lower end of the cylinder and exhaust the upper end. As the lever |4| is swung upwardly, its free end trips past a pivoted catch |43 which holds the lever in its raised position, thereby maintaining the cock in position to admit pressure to the lower end of the cylinder until the During this stroke the valve controlling the circulation through the softener is slowly turned from normal position through its phases for the regenerating cycle and back to normal position, as previously explained. The catch |43 is pivoted to a slide |44 which is connected by a pull cord |45 passing around guide pulleys |46 and connected to the piston rod 20. When the piston completes itsV upstroke,thereby restoring the valve 8 to position for the normal softening operation, the cord |45 retracts the slide |44 so as to withdraw the.

catch |43 from under the end of the lever |4|, whereupon by action of the Weight |42 the cock 25 is turned to its reverse or normal position so as to admit pressure to the upper end of the cylinder and exhaust the. lower end and thus allow the piston to descend. A slack take-up for the pull cord |45 is provided by the pulley |41 whose trunnions are movable up and down in a slotted guide |48. When the piston reaches the limit of its upstroke, the pulley. |41 is raised to.

the extreme of its upward movement, and the pull cord is placed under tension to draw the slide |44, which slide is' spring-pressed to its forward position.

Fig. 5 represents an apparatus embodying a mechanical motive means. the power for operating the apparatus being furnished in this instance by a'weight |55 carried by a lever |5I. Normally the weighted lever rests against the stop I 52, in which position of, the lever the valve controlling the circulation system of the softener is in position Vfor the softening operation. To start the regenerating cycle, the weightv |58 is raised by lifting the lever-to a position against the stop |53. These stops |52 and |53 typify suitable indexing means for limiting the range of movement of the prime moving means furnishing the power. stop. |53, the pawl |54 carried by the lever rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet gear |55 fast to the gem' |55. Thus the lifting of the weighted lever does not turn the gear, and therefore no movement is imparted to the valve. The lever havingbeenraisedto thestop |53 isreleased and allowed to descend under the action of the weight, in which movement the gear |55 is driven through the pawl |54 the ratchet gear. Thevalveinthecaseustherebytumedthrough one revolution, being driven by the gear |55 in v mesh with the gear |51 on the valve shaft 23.

For governing the rate and duration ofthe operation, the gear |55 is in mesh with the first gear |55ofahighspeedgeartrain lllwhoselast gear or pinion |55 is engaged by the pallet |5| of a pendulum escapement. y'.lhus the rate of lowering oi' the weight |55 and consequently the duration of the successive operations involved in In lifting the lever to thethe regenerating cycle is controlled by the pendulum |52, whose pallet allows movement of the' the mechanisms shown in the preceding iigures. y By adjusting the length of the pendulum in Fig ananas? by a cable |68 from a drum |69 on which the.

cable can be wound by turning the drum `by means of the crank |10 to raise the weight to the position for expending its energy to operate the apparatus. In Winding up the cable, the pawl |1| on the drum rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet gear |12 fast to the gear |13 in mesh with the valve-shaft driving gear |14. Having been raised to a predetermined point,v as may be determined by any suitable indexing means, the weight is released and allowed to descend to a suitable rest (not shown), during which descent the gearing is driven by the reverse rotation of the drum through the pawl and ratchet device. The rate of descent is controlled by the same character of mechanism as in Fig. except that in this instance a balance staff |15 is substituted for the pendulum, this balance staff having an escapement pallet coacting with the last gear of the high speed gear |16 driven from the gear |18.

In each of the apparatus of Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the water softener valve is driven in one direction only, andV during the rotation of the valve the number and sequence of operations may be as desired, according. to the directions of ow and number of steps desired in the regenerating cycle. In any ofA these apparatus the valve shown in Figs. 9 to 13 or the valve hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 1'5 to 17 maybe employed, or there may be employed any other appropriate valve.

Fig. 7 represents an apparatus in which the power appliance and valve driving and controlling mechanism are of the same character as in Fig. 3, modified however in that the valve is quickly turned in a reverse direction on the upstroke of the motor piston and slowly turned to change the connections of the softener in the order required for the regenerating cycle on the downstroke of the piston. 'I'he valve, depending upon its design, may be rotated through a complete revolution during each stroke of the piston, or if it be designed to establish normal ow connections in either of two different positions it may be rotated through less than a complete revolution. For instance if the valve were designed to establish normal ow connections in either of two positions at an angular distance apart of say 270, then by appropriate gear ratios the valve could be caused to turn back 270 on the upstroke of the piston and on the immediately succeeding slow downstroke would rotate slowly to its original position. Or, assuming that the valve were designed to be in position for the softening operation only when the piston is in its lowest position, and to be in position to start regeneration when the piston is in its upper extreme position, the valve could likewise be given a partial backward rotation during the quick vupstroke and aslow rotation in a direction to resum its normal position on the slow downstroke.

The parts of Fig. '7 corresponding to those of Fig. 3 are correspondingly designated in Fig. '1. As shown in that figure, the valve operating gear 22 in mesh with the rack yhar 2| is fast on the valve shaft, so that the valve will turn in opposite directions on .the up and down strokes of the piston, while on the other hand the rack bar is not in mesh with the first gear 32 of the high speed gear train 3| but is connected therewith as in Fig. 3 through the loose gear ||3 carrying the pawl 4 coacting with the ratchet gear ||5 fast with the -gear 32, ,the Aarrangement being such that on the upstroke of the piston the pawl rides idly over the ratchet teeth, so that there will be rno motionimparted to the gear train 3|, while on the downstroke of the piston the gear train is driven from the rack bar through the gear ||3 and pawl and ratchet device, thus controlling the rate and duration of operation on the downstroke.

The controlling mechanism of Fig. 7 embodies a different species of governor from that of Fig. 3, the governor of Fig. 7 consisting of a paddle wheel |80, which revolvingat high velocity exerts braking action onv the piston or valvel operating means through the air resistance to thc blades of the wheel.

An alternative form of governor is shown in Fig.'8, comprising a paddle wheel |8| revolving in a case |82 containing a body of preferably viscous liquid |83 into which the blades of the revolving paddle wheel dip. The case |82 may. have interiorly projecting L,baiiies |84 to resist any whirling motion of, the liquid body. Also thesebaiiies resist whirling motions of the air, and thus increase the resistance of rotation of thc paddle wheel.

In lieu of the governor mechanism of Fig. '7, the speed of the piston on its downstroke could be controlled on the same principle as in Fig. 2. i. e.by a very slow exhaust from theupper end of the cylinder. Additional pipe connections for this purpose are indicated by dotted lines at the lower right hand part of Fig. '7. Referring tothe dotted line representation, the pipe 21 which connects the pressure supply pipe 24 through thc cock 25 with the lower end ofthe cylinder may have a restriction at |85., which restriction for example may be provided by an orifice controlled by a needle valve |86. A by-pass pipe |81 may be connected to the pipe 21'around the needle valve, as indicated at |88 and |88. The by-pass pipe |81 contains a check valve |80 which operates to permit flow through the by-pass pipe to the lower end of the cylinder but to prevent flow through the by-pass pipe in a reverse direction. Now if the apparatus of Fig. 7 were equipped with the connections'represented'by dotted lines, then when the cock 25 is turned from its normal position to the reverse position to connect the lower end of the cylinder with the pressure and the upper end to the exhaust pipe |9|, the water under pressure will flow freely to the lower end of the cylinder through the by-pass pipe 81, while the upper end of the cylinder will exhaust freely through the pipe 26, cock 25 and waste pipe |9|. Thisupward movement of the piston, as before explained, sets the water softener valve in position for the commencement of the regenerating operation, from which it may be rotated in a clockwise direction as required for the regenerating cycle. With the particular apparatus being described, the operator next turns the cock 25 to its normal position, connecting the upper end of the cylinder with the water pressure line and the lower end of the cylinder to the exhaust pipe. In this position of the cock, the exhaust from the lower end of the cylinder can take place the by-pass pipe |81. By proper adjustment of the needle valve |86, theoriiice controlled thereby may be regulated to restrict the exhaust as desired.

While the foregoingv description with reference Vto Fig. 'I assumes the use of a. hand-.operated plug which theoperator turns toreverse position and then back to normal position in order to start the regeneration, it will be apparent that such a mechanism equipped with electrically operated means operative in response to the closing of the push button switch, or an automatic switch, y

' with the gear train 3| and governor |80 or the other controlling means represented by dotted lines, were modified by having the valve operating 4gear 22 loose on the valve shaft and adapted to be operated -by the rack bar 2| only on the downstroke of the piston through a pawl and ratchet connection such as is provided in Fig. '1 for the gear H3, then this apparatus would be substantially in accordance with that of Fig. 3,

" in that Athe valve would be rotated for every operation inone direction only, though in this case the rotation would occur on the downstroke of the piston -instead ofn the upstroke as in Fig. 3. In case of the particular modification suggested, the specific electrical controlling means shown in Fig. 3 could be used. With the construction actually shown inFig. '7, the electrical controlling means of Fig. 1 could be applied..

In Fig. '7, the brine pipe l is shown in connection with a closed brine tankfl92, or rather in connection with the bottom brine compartment of a Sweeney brine tank which compartment` during the regenerating operation is closed and `receives water under pressure as from a pipe |93 and discharges anequivalent amount of brine through the brine pipe 4. The Sweeney type of brine tank is disclosed in United States patent to Sweeney No. 1,693,829 of December 4, 1928. Other examples of such brine tanks, which may be employed for the tank |92 shown in Fig. '1, are disclosed in pending applications of Harwood 8: Griswold, Serial No.' 130,806, led AugustV 23. 1926, Serial No. 158,458, led January 3, 1927, and Serial'No.. 347,319, led March 10, 1929. .As

"explained in said Sweeney patent, and in the applications referred to. the bottom compartment of the brine tank, with which the pipes 4 and |93 are connected, is normally in open communication with a su main compartment in which salt is dissolved, whereby concentrated brine is supplied to the bottom brine compart-v ment during the normal operation of the softener, while the brine compartment as aforesaidisY closed except Aduring the Vbrine flow, i. e. when water is b eing circulated through the brine compartment fromthe pipes |93 to the brine pipe l.

With the type of brine tank last referred to,

itis desirable to employ a valve whichin the regenerating period will establish connections for a circulation from the 'water supply pipe 2 through the closed brine compartment of the brine tank and thence through the softener; and one appropriate valve for this purpose will now be described with reference to Figs. 15 to 17. This valve comprises a ported rotor |94 and ported seat therefor provided by the valve body |95, The rotor may be a disc enchambered as.

in Fig. 9 and likewise held seated under. hydraulic 193e. from the source of water by pipe 2 through the valve via seat port 2B, rotor ports A, A1 and seat port 'l'L to the pipe 1 and by said pipe to the bottom of thesoftener and thence upwardly a,o7'1,997 l Y,

pressure. The ported seat forthe rotor may be provided by a separate ported valve plate as explained with reference to Figs. 10 and 12. The construction of the rotor and seat are however The valve seat has eightsegmental ports arranged as shown in Fig. 16,V

which are connected by cored passages in the 'I valve body |95 with the pipes of the circulation system, the connections being as follows: port 2 is connected with the hard water supply pipe 2; port 3a with the soft water delivery pipe- 3; port 6a with the pipe 6^ leading to the top of the softening tank I; port 5a with the drain pipe 5 (the passage connecting port 59 with said drain pipe being indicated at |96) port 1n with the pipe 1 leading to the bottom of the softening tank; port |91'L with a small pipe |91 extending into the drain pipe 5 (see Fig. 16); port 4a with the brine pipe l; and port |93 with the. pipe |93 for conducting water to the brine tank.

The rotor |94 has six ports, A, A1, B, C, B1, C1, whichy are connected in pairsby -passages in the rotor, the diametrically opposite portsA, A1 being connected by the passage a; the port B being connected with the port B1 by the passage b, and the port C being connected with the port C1 by the passage c.

In the normal or softening position of the valve the rotor ports A, A1., B, C, communicate with the seat ports 2", 1*, 6, 4, while the rotor ports B1 and C1 register with the seat ports 3l and In this position of the valve the flow is through the softener and out by the pipe 6 and through the valve via the seat port 6*, rotor ports B, b, B1 and seat port 3 to the soft water delivery pipe 3; the valve and connections in this instance being designed for an upflow of water through the base-exchange material in the nor-- mal softening operation.

The valve rotor in the course of its rotation moves its ports oif fromY the particular set of seat ports 'rst mentioned, and brings the rotor ports into communication Vwith a different set of the seat ports, thereby establishing connections vfor the regenerating operation in'which the circuvalveviaseatportlh rotor portsAl a, A1 and seatportltothepipei connectedtothetopof thevsoftener tank. After flowing downwardly through the softening material, the spent brine or solution is discharged by the pipe 'l through the valve via seat port 1, rotor ports C, cC1

and seat port |91l tothe small pipe |91 enclosed bythe drain Pipe 5 (Flg- 17).

In its continued rotation, the valve rotor in course of time moves its ports oif from the seat ports through which the brine liiiovv tookplace, and into communication with another set of seat ports, establishing connections forr the flushing V operation in which the ow is from the water supply 2 through the valve via seat port 2*, rotor portsA,a,A1andseatport1ltoandbypipe 1 to and upwardly through the softener and thence from the softener by pipe 6 through the valve via seat port 6%, rotor ports C, c,-C1 and seat port to the drain pipe 5.

During the ushing, the bottom brine 'com- 5 partment of the brine tank is in communicationwith the main salt compartment of the tank. It

is desired that the water in the brine tank should be not above a certain level, and the valve of Figs. 15 to 1'7 embodies provision wherebyv during 10 the ushing there may be a backiiow from the brine tank vby the pipe 4 through the valve to the drain, only however if the water in the brine tank is above the desired level and only until it is lowered to the desired level.

`the valve rotor is in the phase of its rotation for the flushing operation, is from pipe 4 through the valve via the seat port 4, rotor ports B, b, B1, seat port |91 and small pipe |91 enclosed by the drain pipe. The ow referred to takes place only if the waterA level in the brine tank is above the discharge end of the small pipe |91 and ceases when the watery level drops to that of said discharge end. In the particular construction shown in Fig. 7, the said discharge end ofthe pipe |91 is contained in the connection |98 of the drain pipe 5 to the waste pipe |99 which has a vent 200 extending from said connection to a point above the water level in the brine tank, so that in the flushing operation there can be no 3 siphoning action to bring the level of the water in the brine tank below the discharge end of the small pipe |91.

In the course of the continued rotation of the valve vrotor |94, the connections for the ow for ilushing are disestablished. During a further phase of rotation, there is aflow of water from the supply pipe 2 through the valve via seat port 2B, rotor ports` C, c, Cl and seat port 3 to the service pipe 3, thus by-passing hard water *40 to service during this phase of rotation, and the completion of the rotation brings the valve back to its original position for the circulation of water through the softener to the service pipe.

The respective apparatus herein described may 45 be used mutatis mutandis with the diierent power appliances, operating and governing lmeans `and -electrical controlling means described. It will be understood that the invention is not lim'- ited to the particular mechanisms selected for '.50 illustration, since the invention is susceptible of embodiment in various organizations to suit various different conditions. Moreover it is not indispensable that all the features of lthe invention be used conjointly as various different features 55 may beadvantageously used in various diierent combinations and sub-combinations.

In the following claims, expressions with reference to connectingpipes or conduits with opposite ends of the water softening tankV or con- 60 tainer will be understood in a broad sense as signifying that suchvpipes or conduits are put into communication with the interior of the container so that the flow will be from one pipe through the water softening material to the other pipe. Obviously in the illustrative structures the pipes 5 and 1 instead of being arranged as shown could enter the container at either end or at the center and be connected with the opposite 70 ends through interior pipe extensions. Also in certain ,types of softeners the inlet and outlet ends of the zeolite bed arey at the same end of the container. So in the claims the ends of the container will be understood as signifying l 75 the interior parts of the'container associated This ow, while with the receiving and discharge ends of the zeolite bed.

What I claim as my invention', and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is: y

l. In a water softening apparatus comprising in combination a container for water softening l material, supply conduits for water and regenerating solution, delivery vconduitsfor soft water and waste liquids, different supplyl and decylinder, a starting valve controlling said means,

speed increasing mechanism adapted to be put in motion by the rotation of the valve and govnsl erning means driven by said speed increasing mechanism and restraining the speed of rotation of the valve to a slow steady rate providing predetermined periods of time for said regenerating and rinsing stages.

2. In a water-softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a Vcontainer for water-softening material, supply conduits for water and regenerating solution, delivery conduits for soft water and waste liquids, the different supply and delivery conduits being adapted to be connected with the container, rotor valve mechanism controlling the connections of the container with said conduits, a power cylinder, means for admitting pressure to either :end of the cylinder whue -eximusting the other end, said cylinder having a working piston operatively connected with said rotor valve mechanism, the said rotor valvey mechanism being operable in either direction and on either stroke of the piston for changing the connections of said container with said conduits in the order required for passing the softener from normal operation through its operations other than normal and back to normal operation, said valve mechanism being thereby adapted to maintain ilow connections for different operations of the softener other than normal during different phases of the operation of y said valve mechanism by a slow, continuous rotation of the valve mechanism and governing means operated by the piston and restraining 3. In a regenerative base exchange water soff releasing and supplying said energy to start and operate said power means, speed governing means controlling said power means so as to regulate the speed of rotation of the valve rotor to a continuous slow rate providing predetermined periods of time for all of the several regenerating operations and means automatically stopping the power means after completion of said regenerative cycle and to set the valve for return to softening.

4. An automatic regenerative ba'se exchange water softener according to claim 3 wherein the valve operating power means comprises aI hyldraulic cylinder with a piston arranged to be supplied with water under pressure. and having a direct mechanical connection with the rotary valve and wherein the energy releasing means comprises a valve for supplying water under pressure to the cylinder.

5. An automatic regenerative baseexchange water softener according to claim 3 in which'the valve operating power means comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a piston arranged to be supplied with water under pressure and having a direct mechanical connection with the rotary valve, in which the energy releasing means comprises av valve for supplying water yunder pressureto the cylinder and piston and in which the speed governing means comprises an adjustable restrictedorifice controlling the flow of water under pressure to the cylinder and piston.

6. An automatic regenerative base exchange water softener according to claim 3 wherein .the rotary valve operating power means comprises a falling weight having a releasable operative connection with the rotary valve and adapted to be raised without rotating the valve and lmeans stopping the weight to set the valve for return to softening. e

7. In the apparatus combination of claim 3, speed governing and time regulating means comprising a centrifugal governor operatively connected to, the mechanical power means and driven thereby.

8. In a regenerative base exchange water softener, automatically controlled regenerating apparatus comprising in combination a rotary multiport control valve including a ported rotor and a plurality of extended interport passages adapted'to establish ows for a cycle of several regenerating operations and to maintain said flowsupon--continuous rotation of the rotor, nonelectrical mechanical power means obtaining its power from a supply of mechanical potential energy and having an operative connection with the valve rotor so arranged that upon release of said energy supply to the power means said valve rotor is rotated continuously to complete said several regenerating operations, means for releasing and supplying said energy to start and operate said power means, speed governing means comprising a rotatory blade rotatedby the power means, rotation of the blade being opposed by viscous fluid resistance against the blade, the speed governing means controlling said power means so as to regulate the speed of rotation of the valverotor to a continuous slow rate providing predetermined periods of time for all of the several regenerating operations and means automatically stopping the power means afterl completion of said vregenerative cycle andA to set the valve for return to softening.

9. In a water softener comprising a container for zeolites,-a source of brine, conduit connections for flows of hard water, soft Water, brine and waste, a'multiport yrotary valve having a ported rotor and a plurality oi' interport passages adapted to make and maintain appropriate connections between said conduits for a plurality of regenerating stages including regenerating, rinsing, and return toV softening during slow continuous rotation of the valve in either direction to and through positions corresponding to regenerating, rinsing and return to softening and to make appropriate connections for. the softening stage at one angular position of the valve, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston sliding in the cylinder having an operative connection with the valve means changing the reciprocal motion of the piston into rotary motion, manually actuable starting means adapted upon actuation to introduce water into said cylinder on one side of the piston so as to move the piston and rotate the valve, and speed governing means operatively connected with the piston so as to regulate the speed of rotation of the valve means in either direction of rotation to a slow, steady, constant rate appropriate to the time required for the waste, multipart rotary valve means having al ported rotor and a plurality of interport passages adapted to make appropriate connections between said conduits for apluralityof regenerating stages including regenerating, :rinsing and return to softening during continuons rtation of the valve means in one direction to and through positions corresponding to regenerating. rinsing and return to softening and to make appropriate connections for the softening stage at one angular position of the valve means, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston sliding in the cylinder and means connecting the piston with the valve means and changing the reciprocal motion of the piston in to rotary motion, the piston being adapted to operate the valve means in one direction. manually actuable starting means adapted upon actuation to introduce water into said cylinder on one side of the piston so as to move the piston and rotate the valve, speed governing'means operatively connected with the piston so as to regulate the speed of rotation of the valve means in one direction to a slow, steady, .constant rate determining the time of said several regenerating connections, means for disengaging said governing means when the valve is operated in the opposite direction to allow rapid movement 'of the piston and valve in resetting, means adapted to stop the valve means in the angular position corresponding to the softening stage after completion of the regenerating stages, means for introducing water into the cylinder against the other side of the pistonV to move the piston backv -to starting position and means operatively con'- 11. In a water softener-comprising azcontainer.

for zeolites, a source oi brine, 'conduit connections v 2,071,997 for flows of hard water, soft water, brine and waste, a multiport rotary valve having a ported rotor and a plurality of interport passages adapted to make appropriate connections between said conduits for a plurality of regenerating stages including regenerating, rinsing and return to softening upon continuous rotation of the valve and to make appropriate connections for the softening stage at one angular position of the valve, a movable weight, releasable means operatively connecting the weight with the rotary valve so that the Weight on being allowed to fall rotates and operates the valve, speed governing means, 

